The old ways

Thranduil’s hands stopped their constant movement for a moment as he could make out the deep feral cry of someone reaching a powerful orgasm. A smile lightened the usually stern features for the Mirkwood King only knew too well who had uttered this cry.
With loving care his hands slowly started their delicate work again as they moved the carving knife with graceful strength along the dark wood.
Only a few moments later the tune of an old lullaby filled the King’s room.

The poles and fastening of the tents rattled as the fierce storm raged across the plains and through the forests of Ithilien.
Gimli frowned and turned on his cot for the umpteenth time, still not able to find any sleep. He just couldn’t take his mind off measurements, carvings, installations and all the work that still had to be done.
Very little time was left to finish their work and that was not their only problem.
Just today there had been an attack of a pack of orcs, that were still wandering Middle Earth. It was good to know that they were growing fewer by the day and it really had been a minor attack, but they were a nuisance.
If simple farmers or country folk were attacked they still could do a lot of damage.

The dwarf sighed with relief remembering that those orcs luckily didn’t get the chance to destroy any of their work. Everything was still standing and the elves were nearly finished with the garden. To Gimli’s mild shock he noticed a smile spreading on his face as he remembered the Mirkwood King happily kneeling on the ground digging the earth with his bare hands, singing to the plants and trees he was working with.

This morning when Thranduil had left to go back to Minas Tirith, to work on the cribs there, there had been the same mischievous smile in his eyes that Gimli often had seen in Legolas’ eyes.
In two days the King would return and hopefully everything would be finished the next week. And only then would they bring Legolas and Haldir here.


Legolas stared angrily at the wooden panels beneath the window of their chamber and wondered at the miracle that it still didn’t show any dents as he kicked it again in frustration and anger.
Aragorn had asked Haldir this morning to join one of the patrols that were securing the lands of Gondor, to clear them off any foes that might still wander about. Happy to do something useful again, Haldir had agreed and promised to be back the next night. Legolas could understand his husband and sent him off with a kiss and smile telling him that he loved him.
And at first he really hadn’t minded, but when nobody else seemed to have any time to spend it with him, Legolas had grown frustrated.

What annoyed him most, was the fact that his father had returned sometime during the last night, had not told him so and when Legolas had called on him later in the morning, the King had refused to let his son in and told him to bother someone else.
So the blonde elf had returned to the room he was sharing with Haldir and had started to tidy it up a bit. But all too soon the bending down had sent flashes of pain along his spine and Legolas had retreated onto their bed to indulge in his misery.

Now he was standing at the window looking out over the city all the way to the fields of Pelennor all covered in a fresh white blanket of snow.
Somewhere in the far distance he could make out four smaller figures rollicking about in the snow. Legolas envied the Hobbits and looked down onto his heavy, protruding body and frowned. Of course Sam and Merry had been right, he was not in the condition for a snowball fight.

It was nearing afternoon and never had Legolas felt so useless and bored.
If only there was something he could do. Maybe somng fng for not only himself, but for someone else.....

“Yes!” he laughed suddenly and spun around heading for the door.
Admittedly it would be a bit unusual for the some people here in Gondor, but for him as an elf it was a normal thing to do.
With eager steps Legolas pounded down the long staircase, past the great hall and deeper into the heart of the castle. Somewhere here the large kitchen would be housed, he was sure of that. Following his rather sensitive nose, Legolas found the kitchen immediately.

Surprised, sceptical and even fearful faces stared at him when he pushed the door open making a swift entrance.
Everybody knew about the elven prince and even though there were some who looked at him and his highly unusual condition with an uncertain eye, most were fascinated and amazed and so was the kitchen staff.
Legolas gave them all a charming smile, spreading his arms slightly and stepped forward. “Please do not let yourself be disturbed by my presence. I only would ask of you a small space were I can work and the permission to use what the kitchen has to offer.”

The cooks, apprentices and maids looked at each other. A prince asking for their permission. A sudden wave of laughter rang through the kitchen and the chef bowed slightly to Legolas. “Everything you need is yours, your Highness. And please forgive us the inappropriate reaction to your request. But you must understand, that it is not very common that a nobleman, sorry elf, like yourself comes down here to ask us for permission.”
“I understand.” Legolas smiled and gracefully moved through the kitchen. With a wave of his hand the chef signalled an apprentice away and showed Legolas to a table where he could work.
“Thank you.” The elf glanced around and looked a bit flustered. “Is there the slightest possibility that you might have a apron in my size?”, he gestured at his lower body. One of the older maids beamed at Legolas and came forward. “If I may be so bold, my Lord, I think we might have the same size, round the middle anyway. Though mine is more from indulging in food if I might add, but none the less I would like to give you one of mine.”
She moved to a cupboard at the far wall and removed a neatly folded piece of linen. She unfolded it and came back to Legolas. With a shy smile he put the apron on him and tied it in his back.
Legolas was only too happy that the apron didn’t have any ruffles on it, it was bad enough that he looked like an elephant right now. With steady hands Legolas grounded freshly peeled almonds, mixed flour, spices, rosewater and eggs.
Shortly after he had started working on the dough, all sounds coming from all around the kitchen ceased as everybody slowly stopped working and turned to watch the elf.
Legends had told them about the fact that magic wove itself into every work or craft done by elves. Many had believed this to be a myth but now some had the chance to actually witness it.
Slender but powerful fingers never faltered as they kneaded and formed. The most delicate designs were created and everything was surrounded by a soft glow.

Thranduil set down the last piece of wood he had been working on and tucked the carving knife away.
When finished there would be two identical cribs, on their sides ornamented with scenes of the life of their parents. The meeting, falling in love, the wedding, the ring war and the last was a picture of them standing by their new house and beside them one could make out the small and stout form of Gimli welcoming them.
He stepped out of the room and called a servant to order him to carefully pack the wooden pieces and have them ready at the stable by tomorrow on a packhorse,
Feeling a bit guilty about closing the door in the face of his son earlier on, Thranduil moved down the corridor to their room but found it empty.
With a frown the Mirkwood king headed downstairs and into the great hall. Then suddenly a familiar scent drifted towards him and made him smile. It was something he hadn’t smelled in a long time.

Helping hands were just taking the first baking tray out of a large oven when the door to the kitchen opened and the tall regal figure of Thranduil entered. “So this is where you have been hiding!”

Today the singing seemed more joyful than during the last days. Gimli mused as he stemmed his hands on his hips and looked at the building site. “Maybe it’s because we are nearing the end.”
Suddenly loud shouting was heard from the woods to the right and as Gimli spun around he could hardly believe his eyes. Out of the woods came two riders followed by a large wagon and some more people on horses.
“Master Gimli! Are we glad to find you. The lady sends her wishes and some things our happy couple might need.”
Rumil and Orophin halted their horsear ear the dwarf and dismounted.
“We asked the guards at the main gate to the city where to find you and they sent us off in this direction.”
“My dear elves, well met!” Gimli bowed slightly at them. “But how did you know that I was not in the city?”
“The Lady used her mirror to see what’s going on and we dare say we made her use it quite often, specially after the battle at the Hornburg. She couldn’t let us go to our brother then. More often than not we were severely under attack at that time ourselves. But now everything settled and we wanted to help you surprise Legolas and our brother.”
With an astonished look on their faces the brothers looked around and showed their respect to the dwarf. Behind them the other Lorien elves already busied themselves unloading the wagon and joining the Mirkwood elves in their work.
“Come Gimli tell us everything!” Orophin pulled the dwarf along towards the main part of the building site and motioned his brother to follow.

Legolas looked up in surprise but his light hearted smile vanished from his face as he saw his fa sta standing in the door.
Thranduil noticed with regret that Legolas indeed was upset with him and raised his voice. “Could I please ask all of you to leave the kitchen for the next hour. I need a word with my son and I presume he would like to finish what he started.”
The kitchen staff looked at each other and put down whatever they were holding in their hands. They didn’t like to do this at all for they needed to prepare the meals for tonight but who were they to question a King. They would just have to work faster later on. One by one they left the kitchen and soon the elves were alone.
Legolas had continued to shape the dough and placed the tiny figures on a baking tray while everybody left. He ignored his father’s presence and didn’t see him taking up an apron that had been dropped onto a table by one of the cooks, and putting it on.
Only when suddenly another pair of hands joined his in shaping the dough did Legolas turn to his father to look at him.
The King looked with a closed expression down at his hands and mumbled “I am sorry about this morning, my son.”
Carefully Thranduil glanced at his son and when he found the ghost of a smile lightening up the beautiful face, he turned to him and took Legolas in his arms. Thranduil was still whispering words of fatherly love into his son’s ear when Legolas suddenly flinched and drew a sharp breath. Quickly the Mirkwood King let go of Legolas and looked questioningly at him. Legolas had placed both hands against his body and was panting slightly. “Are you in pain, Glorlhoch nín?” falling back to the pet name he had used when his son had been in a very young age. (Goldilocks )
“Yes. It’s like a cramp. I can hardly draw breath.”
“Here, come sit down, I will fetch Elrond immediately.” Thranduil tore the apron he was wearing from his body and stormed out of the kitchen.

Gimli had shown Haldir’s brothers all around the area and now helped them to bring everything they had brought along to it’s right place. Now that he had someone else here to help him, Gimli could afford to return to Minas Tirith for the night to help Thranduil in the morning. Reluctantly he moved to the herd of horses to fetch a smaller one that Aragorn had given him. Gimli still wasn’t a big friend of riding but Legolas had taught him the basic knowledge and this horse was particularly friendly and patient.

Elrond escorted Legolas back to his room he was sharing with Haldir and made him lie down on the bed.
“The cramp has stopped by now” the young elf assured the Elf lord but still Elrond was determined to see if everything was all right. He pushed the soft linen tunic up and unfastened the leggings. With gentle hand Elrond felt and probed the swollen belly.
“Mhm, everything seems to be fine. I think your body is just giving the first signals that the time is nearly up.”
“Already?” Legolas looked astounded.
“Not quite, but soon. I’d say one or two weeks. But you will have to cut down on your need to run around and also no riding anymore. More rest and relaxations for you from now on. And when Haldir comes back, try to keep your lovemaking gentle and slow.” Elrond finished with a gentle smile, ignoring the blush on the prince’s face.
Turning his head towards the door Elrond raised his voice. “You may come in now, my friend.”
Slowly Thranduil poked his head through the door and gave Elrond and his son a questioning glance.

t.b.c.